My thoughts on the Phillies season.

June 2008

The Phillies would use the long ball to win their second straight game over the Braves in sweltzering Atlanta, 6-2. The first Phillies’ run would come in the fifth on a solo home run by Carlos Ruiz, his second home run of the year, making it 1-0 Phillies. The Phillies would increase their lead in the sixth on another solo home run, this one by Pat Burrell, his fifteenth home run of the year, to make it 2-0 Phillies. The Braves would tie the game in their half of the sixth on a two-run home run by the red hot Chipper Jones, hitting his fifteenth home run of the year, scoring Kelly Johnson, who has gotten on base earlier with a single. The Phillies would retake the lead in the eighth as Chase Utley would hit a RBI triple, scoring Shane Victorino, who has earlier walked, to give the Phils a 3-2 lead. Ryan Howard would quickly follow with a RBI single, scoring Utley, to make it 4-2 Phils. In the ninth inning, Jimmy Rollins would hit a monster two-run shot out of the park, his first home run since coming off the disabled list, for his fourth home run of the year, scoring Ruiz, who has earlier walked. That would be the ballgame as Brad Lidge would come in to pitch the ninth in a non-save role, striking out the side to end the game.

Kyle Kendrick would get a no-decision as he constantly flirted with disaster as he would pitch five and one third innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits, and walking five. Ryan Madson would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. J.C. Romero would record the victory, going two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. His record is now 4-1 with an ERA of 1.59. Tom Gordon would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on one hits and striking out three. Brad Lidge, in a none save situation, would strike out all three men that he would face. Jo-Jo Reyes would be the losing pitcher, going seven and one thirds innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and striking out seven. His record is now 2-4 with a 4.80 ERA. Royce Ring would only faced one batter, giving up a base hit. Jeff Bennett would pitch an inning, giving up two earned runs on two hits. Phil Stockman would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits.

The Phillies will conclude their three games series in Atlanta with an afternoon game from Turner Field. The game will start at 1:30 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Adam Eaton, (2-3, 4.63), who is coming off of his second straight victory, as he defeated the Reds on June 3, going six and two-thirds innings, giving up only one earned run on three hits, in the Phils’ 3-2 win. Eaton will be trying for his third straight win and his fourth good start in a row. The Braves will counter with Jorge Campillo (2-0, 1.79), who is coming off of a no-decision against the Marlins on June 3, where he would only pitch four innings, giving up four earned runs on sixth hits, in the Braves’ 5-4 win. He has pitched against the Phils’ two other times this year. both times in relief, going a combined three and one third innings, giving up no runs on sixth hits, His will be trying to see if he can stop the Phillies’ bats, while giving the Braves’ bats a chance to salvage at least one game in the series.

The Phillies are now twelve games over .500, while having a three games winning streak. The first place Phillies are still leading the Marlins by three and a half games, thanks to their victory over the Reds. The Braves are now trailing the Phils by five and a half games with the lost. The Mets are trailing the Phils by six and a half games with their lost to the Padres.

In what ended up being a wild game that had an even wilder ending, the Phils came from behind to defeat the Braves in extra-innings, 4-3. The Phillies would take a quick 1-0 lead in the first when Chase Utley hits a RBI ground ball to the right side of the infield, scoring Shane Victorino, who has earlier got on base with a triple. That would be the score for the next few innings as Jamie Moyer and Braves’ starter Tim Hudson would find themselves locked in a pitchers’ duel. That would all change in the bottom of the sixth inning when Moyer would get tagged deep by Brian McCann for his twelfth home run of the season, scoring Mark Teixeira, who has earlier singled, to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead. That would remain the score until the top of the ninth, when, with two outs, Geoff Jenkins would get on base with a walk from Braves’ reliever, Blaine Boyer. Eric Bruntlett would then be sent in to pinch run for Jenkins. After Bruntlett is able to steal second, Pedro Feliz would also receive a walk, putting two men on base. The next batter, Chris Coste, would then hit a ground ball towards Kelly Johnson who proceeds to boot the ball for an error, allowing it to get into the outfield, and allowing Bruntlett to score to tie the game up at two all, but Feliz would get tagged out at hime plate by a perfect throw home from Johnson to catcher McCann, because Feliz did not run fast enough to get home before the throw. Tom Gordon would keep the Braves off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth to get the game into extra-innings. In the Phillies’ tenth, Chris Snelling would start it off with a double. So Taguchi would then be sent out to pinch run for Snelling. After Jimmy Rollins sacrifice him over to third, Victorino would knock him in with a RBI triple, his second triple of the night, to make it 3-2 Phillies. Utley would then follow with a RBI double, driving in Victorino to make it 4-2 Phillies. That extra run would soon be important in the Braves’ half of the tenth, With Brad Lidge now pitching in relief of Gordon, the Braves would get two men on base, with two outs. Yunel Escobar would hit a single to center, scoring Josh Anderson, who has singled earlier, from third, to make it 4-3 Phillies. But, Gregor Blanco, who has also singled earlier, tried to score from second base to retie the game, and was instead cut down at home plate by a perfect throw from Victorino to Coste, with Coste putting on the tag to end the game, and give Lidge his sixteenth save of the year.

Jamie Moyer would pitch a good game, although having to pitch out of trouble in almost every inning he was in. Moyer would go five and one third innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits. Chad Durbin would pitch two-thirds of an inning, plus one batter in the seventh, giving up no earned runs on no hit. J.C. Romero would pitch one third of an inning, giving up no runs on no hit. Rudy Seanez would go two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Ryan Madson would go one inning, giving up no runs on one hit. Tom Gordon would get the win, as he goes one inning, giving up no runs on one hit. His record is now 5-2 with a 4.01 ERA. Brad Lidge would pitch the tenth, recording his sixteenth save of the season, as he goes an inning, giving up an earned run on three hits. Tim Hudson would also pitch a good game against the Phils, pitching seven and two-thirds innings, giving up an earned run on five scattered hits, as he, like Moyer, would take a no-decision when the Phils tied the game in the ninth. Will Ohman would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Blain Boyer would pitch two-thirds of an inning, getting a blown save, as he gives up an unearned run, thanks to Kelly Johnson’s fielding error, on no hit. Manny Acosta would pitch a third of an inning, giving up two earned runs on two hits. His record is now 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA. Royce Ring would go one-third of an inning, giving up no runs on one hit.

The Phils’ bullpen would once again keep the game close, allowing the batters to finally tie the game in the ninth inning, after being stymied time and again by Tim Hudson, making this the first game in a while that the offense didn’t score a lot of runs in support of Moyer. But, as in their last few victories, the Phillies were able to score runs when they needed to, helped along by a Braves’ error, and a key mistake by the Braves runners in the seventh when Yunel Escobar tried to score on Jeff Francoeur’s fly out to Pat Burrell, who threw the perfect throw to Chris Coste, who then tagged out Escobar for the double play to end the inning. The win now place the Phillies eleven games above .500.

The Phillies will continue their series in Atlanta with the second of their three games tomorrow night at Turner Field. The game will start at 7:00 pm Eastern. The Phils’ starter will be Kyle Kendrick (5-2, 5.00), who is coming off of his second straight victory, as he went five and one third innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits.in the Phils’ 5-4 win over the Reds on June 2. Lifetime against the Braves, he is 2-0 in three starts with a 4.24 ERA, which includes his victory in his first start against them on May 13, where he went six innings, giving up only three earned runs on six hits, in the Phils’ 5-4 win. He hopes to improve his record while continuing the Phillies’ recent run of quality starts. The Braves will counter with Jo-Jo Reyes (2-3, 4.78), who is coming off of a no-decision against the Marlins on June 2, going six innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits, in the Braves’ 7-5 win. He was Kendrick’s opponent in the May 13 game in Philadelphia, going six and two-thirds innings as he gave up five earned runs on eleven hits. He hopes to even the present series while hoping he’ll do better than he did in his first start against the Phillies.

With the win, the Phillies are now three and a half games ahead of the Marlins, as the fish were just crushed by the Reds. The Braves have now fallen four and a half games behind the Phillies. The Phils have increased their lead over the Mets to five and a half games. The Phillies hope to continue to increase their lead over the other teams in the National League Eastern Division.

The first place Phillies (36-26) begin their first visit to the deep south with a three games series in Atlanta to meet the third place Braves (32-29). The first game will be played at Turner Field and will begin tonight at 7:30 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Jamie Moyer (6-3, 4.65), who is presently riding a personal four games winning streak, including a recent victory against the Marlins on June 1, where he pitched seven innings, giving up five earned runs on seven hits, in the Phillies’ 7-5 win. He will be trying for his fifth straight win, while hoping that the offense will once again supply him with some runs. The Braves will be sending to the mound Tim Hudson (7-4, 3.01), who is coming off a lost against the Reds on June 1 as he was taken out of the ballgame because of a left hamstring pull, after having completed six innings, giving up four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits, in the Braves’ 6-2 lost. He will be looking to help the Braves stop the presently very hot Phils while also trying to avoid giving their batters a chance to crush another starter.

The Phils’ offense, after being red hot for the last couple of weeks, is once again having a hard time scoring runs, although they are getting a few timely hits at the right moment. But, the starters are presently picking up the slack as they have together pitched several good games during the most recent road trip and home stand, while the relief corps has continued to keep the batters of the opposing team from knocking in many runs in the late innings. If this continues, the Phillies will be hard to beat in many of the games that are left to play this season.

The first place Phils are once more two and a half games ahead of the Marlins, who will be starting a four games weekend series with the Reds. The third place Braves are three and a half games behind the Phils, whom they will be hosting for a three games weekend series. The fourth place Mets are now four and a half games behind the Phillies as they continue their four games series with the Padres in San Diego.

Phillies’ starter Cole Hamels three hit the Reds while going the distance as the Phillies defeat the Reds, 5-0. Junior is finally in the Reds’ starting line-up, going one for four with a double as he is unable to hit home run number 600 in Philadelphia. The closest he would get would be with a deep fly ball to center field that would be caught right in front of the wall by Shane Victorino. Also, Jimmy Rollins would be taken out of the ballgame, because he didn’t hustle as he was disgusted with himself after hitting a pop up high into the air in the third inning, with a runner on second and two out, that was misplayed by Reds’ shortstop Paul Janish into an error, which would lead to the Phillies’ first unearned run of the game, as it gave the Phils a sudden 1-0 lead. Since Rollins did not end up on second because of his lack of hustling, Charlie Manuel would bench him for the rest of the game and replace him with Eric Bruntlett. More on that later. The runner on second at the time, Carlos Ruiz, who has gotten on base earlier with a single, and moved to second on Hamels’ sacrifice bunt, would score on the play. The Phils would increase their lead in the fifth, when Ken Griffey, Jr. would misplay Bruntlett’s fly ball, allowing it to drop in for an error, scoring Pedro Feliz, who has earlier reached base on an infield single and has went to second on a throwing error by Reds’ starter Homer Bailey, to make the score 2-0 Phils. Victorino would then hit an RBI single, scoring Ruiz, who has earlier walked, giving the Philliess a 3-0 lead. In the sixth inning, the score would become 4-0 Phillies when Geoff Jenkins would hit his sixth home run of the year. The Phils’ final run would come in the seventh, when Ryan Howard would hit a RBI single of off Jeremy Affeldt, who was pitching in relief of Bailey, scoring Bruntlett, who has earlier walked. Hamels would end the game by getting Corey Patterson to pop out to Howard in foul territory with a runner on first.

Cole Hamels gets the win, as he pitches both his second complete game and his second shut out of the year, as he gives up no runs on three hits. With this good performance, his record is now 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Homer Bailey would take the lost for the Reds, as he would last six and one third innings, giving up five runs, only two of which were earned, thanks to three Reds’ errors, on only four hits. His record is now 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA. Jeremy Affeldt would pitch a third of an inning in relief, giving up no runs on only one hit, Ryan Howard’s RBI single. Mike Lincoln would pitch one and a third innings, giving up no runs on no hits.

On Jimmy Rollins’ benching, I agree with Charlie doing it 100%. As Jimmy would himself acknowledge during a post-game interview, he should’ve been running hard towards first after hitting the ball into the air, because if he had been running hard, he would’ve been on second after seeing the Red’s shortstop botch the play. Jimmy acknowledged in the interview that he had screwed up and had accepted the benching like a professional. Okay, the deed has been done, the punishment has been assessed and accepted, and that should be the end of it.

Junior would finally get into the Reds’ starting line-up this afternoon, and as mentioned earlier, he would only go one for four, getting only a double and just miss hitting a home run in the top of the ninth. Within the four games series, he would go one for four with two walks. But, I will not be talking about that. I’m going to be talking about the error that he made during the game. As I listened to the game this afterrnoon, I’d heard the Phillies’ announcers say that Junior had moved back on the ball when he got close to it before it would drop in for an error. I would not be surprised if that have happened because his knees are still sore from last Sunday’s game. If that is the reason, then the Reds should have kept him out of the line-up for one more game, for both his and their own good, because, while having him hit home run number 600 might be important, I, personally would’ve preferred that it happen when he is 95-100 percent, and it would not hurt his team defensively. But, hey, I’m a fan, and a Phillies’ fan at that, what the heck do I know.

The Phillies’ offense recently have not been getting the hits lately. This might not be the best time for it to happen as they head on the road to visit Atlanta, Miami and St. Louis, for nine games. Hopefully, the bats will return when they enter Atlanta for a three games series that will start tomorrow night at Turner Field at 7:30 PM Eastern. The Phillies’ (36-26) starter will be Jamie Moyer (6-3, 4.65), who is coming off of his fourth straight victory, as he was the winning pitcher in the Phils’ 7-5 defeat of the Marlins on June 1. Moyer would go seven innings, giving up all five earned runs on seven hits. He will be trying for his fifth straight win, while hoping to continue the Phillies’ starters recent string of quality starts while also hoping that the offense will continue to support him with runs. The Braves (32-29) will counter with Tim Hudson (7-4, 3.01), who left his last start with a hamstring pull, which was a lost to the Reds on June 1. In that game, he would go six innings, giving up four runs, three of which were earned, on six hits, in the Braves’ 6-2 lost He hopes that he will be more successful in his third attempt for his eighth win of the season, while trying to see if he can keep the Phillies’ offense quiet.

With the win, the Phillies, with their 8-2 home stand, are now once again leading the second place Marlins by two and a half games as they lost the third of their four games with the third place Braves. The Braves’ victory keep them three and a half games behind the Phils. The fourth place Mets, with their lost to San Diego, fall back four and a half games behind the Phillies. The Phillies hope that they can continue their good fortune on the road while doing some damage to the Braves’ home record. when they play in Atlanta tomorrow.

Brett Myers flirted with a no-hitter for six and two-thirds innings before it was finally broken up by a Joey Votto double. Although it would be the only hit that he would give up in seven and two-third innings of work, it would be a very costly one as it would knock in Brandon Phillips, who had earlier gotten on base with a walk, one of six that Myers would give up, and the most costly, giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. Before the Reds would score in the seventh, Myers and Edinson Volquez would be involved in a pitcher’s duel, with neither offense being able to do anything against either pitcher, with the Reds being unable to get a hit and the Phils being unable to get a clutch hit to knock in a run. In the top of the ninth, with J.C. Romero still pitching in relief of Myers, the Reds would get an insurance run as Votto would hit his second RBI double of the night, once again scoring Philips, who this time has gotten on base with a single, to make it 2-0 Reds. Francisco Cordero, the Reds’ closer, would pitch a 1-2-3 ninth innning, to record his twelfth save of the year.

In spite of a good pitching performance, Brett Myers would take the lost as he goes seven and one-third innings, giving up only one run on one hit, as he struck out eight while walking six, one of whom would score. His record is now 3-7 with a 5.13 ERA. J.C. Romero would pitch an inning, giving up one run on two hits. Ryan Madson would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Edinson Volquez would get the win as he would keep the Phillies’ bats under wrap for seven innings, giving up no runs on two hits, while striking out eight Phils. His record is now 8-2 with an ERA of 1.32. Bill Bray would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Francisco Cordero would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on no hits to record his twelfth save of the year.

Ken Griffey, Jr. came into the game in the eighth inning, pinch hitting for the Reds’ starter Volquez. He would be once again walked, which would produce another series of boos from the fans, who wanted to see him at least attempt to hit his 600th home run, although he was able to foul off at least one pitch in this at bat.

The Phillies’ offense was unable to do anything tonight, as Volquez once again refused to give in to them, as he and the relievers that followed him shut out the Phils’ for only the third time this year. The Phils are now back to nine games over .500 as they are now 7-2 on the home stand, with the last game to be played tomorrow afternoon.

The final game of the home stand will be played tomorrow afternoon between the Phillies (35-26) and the Reds (29-31, 5th National League Central) at Citizens Bank Park. The game will start at 1:05 pm Eastern. The Phils’ starter will be Cole Hamels (5-4, 3.73), who is coming off his second straight bad start, this time against the Marlins on May 31, where he would only go five and two-thirds innings, getting hit for seven earned runs on eight hits, in the Phils’ 7-3 lost. This will be Hamel’s second start against the Reds, having defeated them back on April 7, where he would go seven innings, giving up only two earned runs on five scattered hits, in the Phils’ 5-3 victory. Hamels will be trying to regain his winning form while trying to help the Phillies end the home stand on a very high note. The Reds will counter with Homer Bailey (0-0, -.–), who will be making his first start, since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. While pitching for Louisville, he was 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA in twelve starts. He will be trying for his first win since coming back to the Reds while hoping to keep the Phils’ batters quiet.

With the lost and with the Marlins’ defeat of the Braves, the Phillies are now leading the fish by only one and a half game. The lost keeps the Braves three and a half games back, while the Mets’ victory over the Giants also makes them three and a half game behind, while they leap back ahead of the Braves. The Phillies will be trying to win the last game on their home stand to keep their present lead over the rest of the league while leaving Philadelphia on a high note before they head for Atlanta for their three games series with the Braves.

While waiting to see if Junior will be well enough to start tonight, the Phillies (35-25) will play the Reds (28-31, 5th National League Central) in the third game of their four games set. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm Eastern. Brett Myers (3-6, 5.52) will be the Phillies’ starter and is coming off of a very good outing, as he would get his first win since April 17, pitching against the Marlins on May 30. Myers would go eight innings, giving up only three earned runs, all in the first inning, on six hits, while striking out eleven, in the Phils’ 12-3 win. He will be trying to do better against the Reds then he did during his first start against them back on April 6, as he took the lost while pitching only five innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits, in the Phils’ 8-2 lost. Myers hopes to improve on his last start, while trying to help the team continue their winning ways. He will be opposed by Edinson Volquez (7-2, 1.46), who is coming off of a no-decision against the Braves on May 30, as he would pitch six innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, in the Reds’ 3-2 win. He was Myers’ opponent on April 6, getting the win as he would go five and one thirds innings, giving up only one earned run on five scattered hits, in the Reds’ victory. He will be trying to stop the bleeding while hoping that he won’t become another casualty of the Phillies’ offense.

The Phillies presently have a two and a half games lead over the presently swooning Marlins, who continue their four games set with the Braves. The Braves are now three and a half games behind the Phillies, as they beat up on the fish. The Mets, with their victory over the Giants, stay four and a half games back as they prepare to end their three games series with the Giants. The Phillies will try to win for the ninth time in their last ten games, while increasing their lead against their rivals in the Eastern Division.

The Phillies are presently 7-1 in the home stand, preparing for a possible sweep of the Reds, while wondering if Ken Griffey, Jr. will appear at least once in the Reds’ starting lineup.

It is raining at the moment. I have no idea whether it will stick around Philadelphia long enough to get the game cancelled.

Pat Burrell’s two-run home run would be the different as Adam Eaton pitches a great six and two-thirds innings to record his second victory of the year as the Phillies defeat the Reds, 3-2. The Reds would score the game’s first run, when, in the third, Edwin Encarnacion would hit his tenth home run of the year while leading off the inning, giving the Reds a quick 1-0 lead. The Phillies would quickly come back to tie the game in their half of the inning, when Chase Utley, who was unable to hit a home run tonight, would hit a RBI single, knocking in Jimmy Rollins, who has gotten on base earlier via a force out. The score would stay that way for the next couple of innings as Adam Eaton and Reds’ starter Aaron Harang would find themselves in the middle of a pitcher’s dual. The dual would end though, when, with a runner on second, and one out, Pat Burrell would hit his fourteenth home run of the season, a two-run shot which would score Utley, who has earlier doubled, to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead. In the eighth, the Reds would cut the lead to 3-2, as Javier Valentin hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Encarnacion, who has earlier tripled off of Tom Gordon. After Gordon is able to get out of further trouble in the eighth, Brad Lidge is handed the ball. In spite of giving up two walks, Lidge would get his fifteenth save in as many chances by getting Encarnacion to fly out to end the game.

Adam Eaton is the winning pitcher as he records his second win of the season as he goes six and two-thirds inning, giving up only one earned run on just three hits. His record is now 2-3 with a ERA of 4.63. J.C. Romero would pitch a third of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits, walking a batter and striking out one. Tom Gordon would pitch an inning, giving up an earned run on one hit. Brad Lidge would pitched the ninth, giving up no runs on no hits, as he records his fifteenth save of the year. Aaron Harang is the losing pitcher for the Reds, as he would pitch six innings plus two batters, giving up three earned runs on nine hits. His record is now 2-8 wirh a 3.86 ERA. Rookie pitcher Danny Herrera would make his major league debut by coming in the seventh inning in relief of Harang with two runners on base with no one out, and would get out of the inning, leaving the bases loaded, as he gives up no runs on no hits. Jared Burton would also pitch an inning, giving up no runs on no hits.

The Phillies’ offense would get nine hits in the game, four of them being for extra-bases (3 (2B), 1 (HR)), but they would be held down to three runs as they were unable to break the game wide open in the seventh. Chase Utley was unable to hit a home run for the six straight game, but he would get an RBI for the ninth straight game in a row. Also, Eaton has pitched another good game, which led to another victory for him. It would appear that he has finally turned a corner. Let us hope that it stays that way. The Phillies have now won their third strength game in a row, their eighth in nine games and their eleventh in their last fifteen games. They are also now ten games over .500 for the first time this season. Ken Griffey, Jr. did not start for the second straight game, but did he come into the game in the eighth inning against Tom Gordon, who has already given up six home runs to him, to try and make it seven in an attempt to tie the game with one swing of the bat. He is instead walked by Gordon, who refused to give him something to hit. So, Junior will be trying again to hit number 600 tomorrow.

The third game in the four games series between the Phillies (35-25) and the Reds (28-31, 5th National League Central) will be played at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow night at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phils’ starter will be Brett Myers (3-6, 5.52), who is coming off a recent win against the Marlins, where he would go eight innings, giving up only three earned runs, all coming in the first inning, on six scattered hits, while striking out eleven. This will be his second start against the Reds, having lost his first start against them back on April 6, as he would go five innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits, in the Phillies’ 8-2 lost. He will be trying to improve his record while continuing what he did in the last seven innings of his last start. His opponent will be Endison Volquez (7-2, 1.46), who is coming off a recent no-decision against the Braves on May 30, where he would pitch six innings, giving up only two earned runs on five hits, in the Reds’ 3-2 win. He has already pitched against the Phillies this season, as he was Myers’ opponent in the April 6 game. He would recieve the victory as he would go five and one-third innings, giving up only one earned run on five scattered hits. He will be trying to put a stop to the Phillies’ offensive juggernaut while hoping that they won’t light him up.

The first place Phillies have increased their lead to two and one half games over the Marlins as they would loss once again to the Braves. The Braves, with their win over the fish, stay three and a half games behind the Phils. The Phils are presently leading the Mets by four and a half games as they have just won their game against the Giants. The Phillies will be trying to continue their winning way and to further increase their lead against the opponents.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum does not confine itself to hits, runs and errors when it comes to celebrating the game. Academic and literary scholars will share their views of the national pastime this week in the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture.

The 20th annual event, co-sponsored by the Hall of Fame and the State University of New York-Oneonta, will run from Tuesday through Friday with more than 60 participants discussing topics ranging from commissioners, umpires and player agents to issues regarding integration, ethnicity, gender and the handicapped.

“The goal of the program is to allow for an academic exchange of discussions about how baseball is perceived in American culture,” Hall of Fame librarian Jim Gates said. “We don’t look at baseball in the field in this program. That’s for the SABR [Society of American Baseball Research] people. This is about baseball’s connection to art, poetry, literature, architecture, theater, music and other cultural areas.”

Participants do get to experience baseball in the field at one point. An old-fashioned Town Hall Game is scheduled late Thursday afternoon at Cooper Park where the rules from the earliest form of baseball are in effect, such as one out per inning, stakes for bases and outs being achieved either by catching the ball or throwing it at a runner.

After the game, participants will be treated to a barbecue chicken dinner in the Hall’s gallery with entertainment provided by Tim Wiles, the Hall’s director of research and co-author of “Baseball Greatest Hit: The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Former New York Times sports columnist Ira Berkow, author of 17 books that include profiles of Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg and Casey Stengel, will deliver the keynote address Wednesday in the Grandstand Theater of the Hall. Berkow follows in a tradition of distinguished keynote speakers that includes authors George Plimpton, Isaac Asimov, W.S. Kinsella and Roger Kahn and players’ union leaders Marvin Miller and Don Fehr.

Panel discussions in the Bullpen Theater will center on themes such as the fierceness of competitors, African-American pioneers, power of commissioners, minority issues and baseball’s relationship to business, law, music, broadcasting and photography.

A featured session Wednesday night will be “Baseball and Freedom: Umpires and the Roots of Order and Freedom,” featuring commentary from Judge George Nicholson of the State of California Court of Appeals, Judge William Shubb of the United District Court, Eastern District, California, and Pacific Coast League president Branch Rickey III, among others.

“It’s a mixture,” Gates said of the participants. “There is old faculty, tenured faculty, new faculty, under-graduate and graduate students. We want to encourage the involvement of the next generation of scholars. The atmosphere is laid back with a lot of interaction. In the past, we’ve had meetings among students that have often led to the subjects of their dissertations.”

The registration fee for the full session is $165, $150 for Friends of the Hall of Fame Members and $50 for graduate and undergraduate students (with student identification cards). The fee includes continental breakfast each day, a catered picnic Thursday, refreshments, and a three-day pass to the Hall of Fame. Per diem rates are available for those unable to attend the entire symposium. (H/T MLB.com)

They have an symposium on baseball’s interaction with American culture? Who knew?

PHILADELPHIA — Terrell Utley’s hard work in “stuffing ballots,” as her All-Star son joked last week, has been effective.

The Phillies second baseman continues to lead all National League vote getters, and should start in the historic Yankee Stadium. It will be his first time playing there.

Utley is the only Phillies player leading his position, and deservedly so. The Phillies superstar with the special left-handed stroke is lined up for his third appearance and second start.

Teammate Jimmy Rollins, the reigning NL Most Valuable Player, has held steady at fifth among NL shortstop, with his first-half production slowed because of a sprained left ankle.

With 847,628 votes, Utley is more than 500,000 votes ahead of Mark DeRosa, who is in second place. The votes are well-deserved, as Utley has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the NL this season.

“He’s incredible,” said manager Charlie Manuel, who last week said Utley is the best player he’s been around, topping Kirby Puckett, who he coached in the Minor Leagues.

“The way Utley goes about the game and his mind-set … I think he’s the best player I’ve been around, and I’ve been around a long time,” said Manuel. “I used to think Kirby Puckett was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I see how Utley goes about his business day in and day out — how he prepares and how he plays. He’s tremendous. His dedication, his determination.”

Utley started the 2007 All-Star Game, going 0-for-2 in San Francisco, and played in the 2006 contest, going 1-for-2 at PNC Park.

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, being held at Yankee Stadium in its final season, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD, and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.

The Midsummer Classic will be the fourth held at Yankee Stadium and the eighth in New York City. The Yankees previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1939, 1960 and 1977; the Polo Grounds held the game in 1934 and 1942; Ebbets Field was the site in 1949; and Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 tilt.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Wednesday, July 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on July 6. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.

The voting doesn’t end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.

Other Phillies could join Utley. Ryan Howard, who has gotten hot after batting .163 in his first 35 games, ranks fourth in voting among first basemen, up from fifth a week ago. Rollins remains at fifth while Pat Burrell is sixth among outfielders.

2008 MLB All-Star Balloting : National League

First Base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Berkman, L.

Astros

585,369

2.

Pujols, A.

Cardinals

489,394

3.

Lee, D.

Cubs

476,947

4.

Howard, R.

Phillies

248,849

5.

Fielder, P.

Brewers

206,525

Second Base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Utley, C.

Philles

847,628

2.

DeRosa, M.

Cubs

333,920

3.

Matsui, K.

Astros

275,818

4.

Uggla, D.

Marlins

247,271

5.

Hudson, O.

D-backs

226,120

Third base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Jones, C.

Braves

708,515

2.

Wright, D.

Mets

461,330

3.

Ramirez, A.

Cubs

433,490

4.

Reynolds, M.

D-backs

195,931

5.

Wigginton, T.

Astros

192,174

Shortstop

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Ramirez, H.

Marlins

418,197

2.

Tejada, M.

Astros

410,553

3.

Reyes, J.

Mets

340,590

4.

Theriot, R.

Cubs

331,811

5.

Rollins, J.

Phillies

293,567

Catcher

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Soto, G.

Cubs

594,309

2.

McCann, B.

Braves

391,592

3.

Molina, Y.

Cardinals

300,901

4.

Martin, R.

Dodgers

248,726

5.

Snyder, C.

D-backs

196,723

Outfield

RANK

PLAYER NAME

NL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Soriano, A.

Cubs

635,013

2.

Fukudome, K.

Cubs

552,287

3.

Griffey, K.

Reds

490,597

4.

Holliday, M.

Rockies

369,692

5.

Beltran, C.

Mets

360,639

6.

Burrell, P.

Phillies

349,795

7.

Lee, C.

Astros

330,600

8.

Upton, J.

D-backs

329,427

9.

Ankiel, R.

Cardinals

314,639

10.

Braun, R.

Brewers

304,016

11.

McLouth, N.

Pirates

269,240

12

Pence, H.

Astros

267,848

13.

Young, C.

D-backs

239,916

14.

Ludwick, R.

Cardinals

223,073

15.

Church, R.

Mets

222,766

Results updated: Tuesday, June 3, 2008

(H/T Phillies.com)

Looks like Chase has this one in the bag. Now can any of the others Phillies among the leaders be able to catch up? Doesn’t look good, but you never know. Here’s to hoping that Jay-Ro can get some more votes. Let get voting people.

The Phillies’ (34-25) ten games home stand will continue tonight, as they host the Reds (28-30, 5th National League Central) for the second game of their four games set. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm Eastern. Ken Griffey, Jr. should be in the Reds’ lineup tonight, and should get at least four chances to try and hit his 600th career home run, which is not good news for the Phillies’ starter for tonight’s game, as Junior has already tagged him for two of his 599 previous four baggers. The Phillies’ starters will be Adam Eaton (1-3, 4.99), who has finally gotten his first win of the year, doing it against the Rockies on May 28, as he pitched six strong innings, giving up only one earned run on four hits, in the Phillies’ 6-1 victory. His career record against the Reds is 2-0 with a 4.19 ERA in six starts, which includes his previous start against them this year, occuring back on April 5, where he would receive his first no-decision of the season, as he would pitch seven and two-thirds innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits, in the Phillies’ 4-3 lost. He’ll be trying to make it two wins in a row, while trying to avoid becoming Junior’s 600th home run victim, as he hopes that the Phillies’ offensive juggernaut will continue on its merry way. The Reds plan to counter with Aaron Harang (2-7, 3.81), who is coming off of a lost to the Bucos on May 29, as he was crushed by them for six earned runs on ten hits as he was only able to last four innings, in the Reds’ 7-2 lost. He has already pitched against the Phillies this year, as he opposed Adam Eaton on April 5. He would also receive a no-decision as he would pitch six innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out six. He will be trying to get a win to improve his poor record, while hoping that he won’t be facing the Phillies’ wrath for his good performance against them earlier this season.

The Phillies’ offense last night had twelve more hits, including 5 more extra-base hits (2 (2B), 3 (HR)). Chase Utley, who is still the leading vote getter among National League All-Stars, has, for the second time this year, tied the Phillies’ franchise record for the consective number of games hitting at least one home run by hitting a home run in the first inning last night. He has also hit at least one RBI for the eighth straight game. Because of this, he has won his fifth National League Player of the Week award for his heroics last week. Phillies’ fans will be waiting to see tonight which of the two home runs related accomplishments will occur during tonight’s game, Junior hitting his 600th career home run, or Utley hitting it out of the park for a team record sixth game in a row. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, the rest of the Phillies’ bats will be trying to continue their campaign to wear out opposing teams’ starters.

The first place Phillies are now leading the Marlins by a game and a half, as they continue their four games series with the Braves. The third place Braves are still trailing the Phils by three and a half games thanks to their extra-innings win against the fish. The fourth place Mets are now trailing the Phillies by four and a half games, as they got crushed by the Giants last night. The Phils will be trying to win for the eighth time in their last nine games, while also trying to increase their lead in the National League East.

Edit: Well, just learned that Junior won’t be playing today. Looks like the knees are still sore. I wonder if the Reds will be using him for pitch hitting duty. Guess we’ll find out during the ballgame tonight.

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